Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has refused to comment on MCA chairperson Chua Soi Lek's criticisms against Umno and Islam made during his speech in Kedah last week.

"I do not want this issue to be debated as I have seen the comments from a few parties, even from Umno members.

NONE "I do not want to add to this as it will be seen as if we are not in line with MCA. This will not help to better the image of Barisan Nasional," he told reporters after launching a new book titled ‘Najib Tun Razak Melakar Transformasi Malaysia' at Kuala Lumpur's Craft Complex today.

Muhyiddin ( left ) added that he would prefer the issue to be discussed within the coalition.

"If there are issues, we can find the solution internally. But when it is out in the open, I receive it (the criticism) with my own views and I see that there are those who are looking for opportunities (to highlight the difference of opinion in BN)," he said.

'Hadi's statement was accurate'

When asked if he was trying to stoke fire between DAP and PAS as claimed by Shah Alam parliamentarian Khalid Samad, Muhyiddin said, "I just want to ask Khalid, do you not agree with my statement and the statement of President Hadi?

"As a Malay can you stand it when the others are belittling our rights provided by the constitution?" he asked.

Muhyiddin insisted that he is supporting PAS president Abdul Awang Hadi's statement because it was accurate and correct not because he wanted to "start a fire".

sibu by election hadi awang "When Hadi ( right ) made an accurate statement, I respect his opinion but perhaps there are other PAS leaders who do not agree," he said adding that now Khalid might say that he is trying to stoke a fire against him and his president.

He stressed that he was only speaking the truth based on the constitution, and that the opposition was free to see it differently.

On the issue of students involvement in politics Muhyiddin, who is also the education minister, said that students are still restricted by the University and University Colleges Act (UUCA) and should not be involved in political parties.

"However its amendments allow them the freedom to talk. In campus, there are speakers' corners.

"We cannot stop them from talking about politics, since they are Malaysians too, but we just don't want them to be actively involved in political parties," he said.

He added that in many developed countries, students are also restricted from political participation because it may affect their studies negatively.